Ancelotti faces no further action over offensive gesture

Joe Williams
Carlo Ancelotti

Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti will face no further action over an offensive gesture he made following his side’s 1-1 draw at Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

The Bundesliga leaders announced that an investigation has been dropped by the German Football Federation (DFB), who accepted the club’s stance that it was “an understandable emotional reaction” after the 57-year-old Italian claimed he had been spat at.

German broadcaster ARD reported Ancelotti raised his middle finger to home fans after claiming he had been targeted during the Bundesliga match, which saw Bayern net a stoppage-time equaliser through Robert Lewandowski.

The DFB had subsequently asked the former Chelsea, Paris St Germain and Real Madrid boss for his comments on the incident.

However, Bayern on Tuesday said the governing body has accepted an explanation and an apology from Ancelotti.

The statement read: “We regard Carlo Ancelotti’s gesture in response to being spat at as an understandable emotional reaction.

“The DFB panel has accepted this position and will cease its inquiry. However, as an apology for his gesture Carlo Ancelotti will make a donation of 5,000 Euros (£4,200) to the DFB Foundation.”

At the time, Ancelotti told sports broadcaster ARD Sportschau: ”Yes, I made the gesture because I was spat on.”

Lewandowski’s goal six minutes into added time at the end of the game cancelled out Vedad Ibisevic’s first-half opener for Hertha and helped Bayern open up an eight-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga.